Breeding male

Song is a series of two-parted cheep or chirrup notes, given throughout much of the year. Females sometimes sing as well. Breeding males have a broad black bib, whitish cheek, and chestnut head with gray crown.

Breeding male

Nest in holes of buildings and other structures such as streetlights, gas-station roofs, signs, and the overhanging fixtures that hold traffic lights. Also nests in nest boxes and competes with other species for them.